Networking ... is now anytime, anywhere

​Why Mixers are Dying Out 
Effective networking can happen at any time of the day, and in most cases, you don’t even have to leave your business. Proper networking is about building new relationships and deepening your existing ones. You don’t have to follow traditional advice, or even go to events, to successfully build and maintain a valuable network.  Click here for more details. 
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​If Mixer Events Are Still Your Cup of Tea

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Because mixers events are managed by the owner/business, there are no set rules. The events range from very simple, low cost events to extravagant productions utilizing the services of professional event planners.

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Things You Need to Know About Mixers (external networking)

Related Article: Tips to Help Your Employees Survive Their Next External Networking Event 
Related Article: How to Promote Your Next Event for Free 
​Related Article:  For an interesting research study entitled What Really Happens at Mixers, check out the research study from the Columbia Business School. 

1. Because mixers events managed by the owner/business, there are no set rules. The events range from very simple, low events to extravagant productions utilizing the services of professional event planners.
2. The Chamber can not plan your mixer event, you can promote your event on our calendar of events page, which receives about 2,000 views per month. The Chamber does not co-host or sponsor third party events for risk management reasons.  
3. ​Make sure you have adequate liability insurance to protect you business and the host location.   

The Chamber's  Community Calendar is Viewed  Almost  2,000 Times Every Month. Be sure to post all your events on the Chamber's Community Calendar!  With over 20,000 annual views it is  a great way to help spread the word about your event! 

Remember Networking ... is anytime, anywhere
Effective networking can happen at any time of the day, and in some cases, you don’t even have to leave your house. My definition of networking is “any activity that increases the value of your network and/or the value you contribute to it”. Proper networking is about building new relationships and deepening your existing ones. You don’t have to follow traditional advice, or even go to events, to successfully build and maintain a valuable network. Focusing on activities where you have more control over the various inputs (who, what, where, etc.) will almost always yield a better – and more predictable – return on investment. 

Business Owner Tips for Sponsoring or Planning Events with Alcohol:
 
Alcohol can be a festive addition to a company event or an event you are sponsoring or co-hosting.  As in your workplace, safety is your top concern.
 
Questions to Consider:

• Does hosting or sponsoring events with alcohol, enhance your company image/brand, values or  public perception?  For example, you may want to nix the alcohol, if you market to families, children or if you are a governmental entity.
• Do you Have Insurance? Look at your company insurances to determine whether you have the appropriate coverage to protect your business.  Consider your general liability limits or consider host liquor liability. This protects you against  alcohol-related accidents/deaths, event injuries, lawsuits, etc.).  
• Are You Assuming Too Much Risk? Protect your company.  If you are sponsoring or co-hosting an event, ask the third party sponsor to give you an Insurance Certificate that demonstrates the existence  and terms of a General Liability Insurance Policy. The certificate should include the event name & date, amount of coverage  and the name of your business listed as an additional insured.   One million dollars should be the minimum coverage amount. 

​Safeguards To Consider: 

• Always offer a variety of interesting, non-alcoholic beverages, to remove the emphasis from alcohol. And never make drinking, or eating, for that matter, the focus of any event. 
• Consider serving just beer and wine, and no liquor. Avoid serving drinks such as fruit punch that limit an employee’s ability to assess how much alcohol they are drinking.
• Put Restrictions on How Much Is Alcohol is available 
• Limit the number of drinks the company provides by using drink tickets or another informal method of tracking the amount of alcohol served. If you want to limit alcohol consumption, consider stamping each person's hand in exchange for each drink; you will want to limit the number of stamps a person can receive.
• Limit the number of hours that the bar is open. Close the bar well before the end of the event. 
• Use trained bartenders to serve alcohol; never allow your employees to serve. Never provide a help-yourself beverage bar that includes alcohol.
• Make sure your bartenders are clear that they are not to serve alcohol to any person who appears to be inebriated. Bartenders must card these employees just as if they were attempting to order alcohol  in a local tavern. 
• Pay for the event, the food, non-alcoholic drinks, and entertainment, but provide a cash bar. When guests must purchase their own drinks, they drink less.
• Have a policy of only sponsoring/planning Alcohol-Free Events.
• Recruit your managers or make sure the sponsoring organization has a plan or policy to deal with those who may be overindulging. Offer rides home, call a cab, or make certain that a designated non-drinking driver takes the wheel. 
• Pay for cabs to sit outside your event in case an employee is advised or decides that he or she cannot drive safely. Or schedule the event at a location that offers easy access to public transportation.
• ​Have a Code of Conduct that make it clear that employees can expect punishment for over-imbibing or poor interpersonal behavior up to and including employment termination.